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Maryland | Harford County / Lower Susquehanna Maryland

Lower Susquehanna Water TrailBroad Creek Public Landing and return

A conservative same-launch Broad Creek exploration from Harford County’s public cartop landing into the Susquehanna-connected creek.

Route location

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Plan this route

DistanceApproximately 1–4 miles bounded same-launch exploration; current map and shallow-water conditions control the turnaround
DifficultyModerate
Typical time1–4 hours depending on shallow water
ShuttleNo shuttle
Two paddlers move downstream on the Monocacy River beneath wooded banks in Maryland.
Route photoMonocacy River Water Trail paddling contextPhoto by Saki / National Park Service

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distanceApproximately 1–4 miles bounded same-launch exploration; current map and shallow-water conditions control the turnaroundBroad Creek Public Landing and return
DifficultymoderateThe source describes recreational moving water, but shallow rock, current, cold water, debris, and bridge or access hazards remain material.
ShuttleNo shuttleNo shuttle is required; launch and return at Broad Creek Public Landing after confirming the separate non-motorized soft-launch location, lot, dawn-to-dusk hours, and waterline.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow current Maryland State Park and Harford County launch fees, hours, parking, PFD/boating rules, Conowingo dam-release warnings, flashing-light/siren notices, hunting notices, marine/weather conditions, and posted closures. Camping at Susquehanna State Park requires a separate reservation; no riverbank camping is claimed.
CampingOptions nearbyBroad Creek Public Landing is day use. Arrange separate lodging or campground; no creek-bank, beach, or public-landing camping is claimed.
SeasonMar-NovSpring through fall is the practical planning season, but Maryland water levels, recent rain, temperature, debris, and daylight control every launch decision.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

Waiting on forecast.

WeekendChecking

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A conservative same-launch Broad Creek exploration from Harford County’s public cartop landing into the Susquehanna-connected creek.

Access map

Skip map

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Start

Put-in

Broad Creek Public Landing soft access
Open mapDirections to put-in

Use the non-motorized soft launch at the end of the floating pier; the motorized ramp and roadway are not the cartop launch.

Finish

Take-out

Broad Creek Public Landing soft access return
Open mapDirections to take-out

The DNR record specifically warns of shallow water; no numeric safe-depth threshold is inferred from the Conowingo station.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Use the non-motorized soft launch at the end of the floating pier; the motorized ramp and roadway are not the cartop launch.
  • The DNR record specifically warns of shallow water; no numeric safe-depth threshold is inferred from the Conowingo station.
  • Private shoreline, fishing areas, and unmarked marsh are not alternate access or emergency exits.

Watch for

  • USGS 01578310 Conowingo discharge/stage and dam-release trend
  • flashing red lights, sirens, dam and wing-wall exclusion zones, current, wakes, wind, cold water, floating debris, thunderstorms, and bridge traffic
  • park fees/hours, limited lots, ramp versus soft access, downstream tide/wind, private shorelines, and hard named take-outs
  • Broad Creek soft launch, small cartop lot, shallow water, mud, fishing areas, Susquehanna connection, wind, wakes, tide, private banks, and daylight

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Gauge detail

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Gauge

Recent trend

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Next 8 hours

Short-route forecast

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Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

Two paddlers move downstream on the Monocacy River beneath wooded banks in Maryland.
Monocacy River Water Trail paddling contextPhoto by Saki / National Park Service
National Park Service public-agency image

Sources

Data and sources

Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.

NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Named moving-water corridorMaryland DNR/NPS Lower Susquehanna Broad Creek Public Landing Water Trail, Approximately 1–4 miles bounded same-launch exploration; current map and shallow-water conditions control the turnaround

    The official DNR and NPS materials establish the Lower Susquehanna water-trail setting, public endpoint chain, park access, and route-specific dam/shallow-water controls. No fixed mileage is invented where the source does not publish one.

    Source

  • Authoritative public accessBroad Creek Public Landing soft access to Broad Creek Public Landing soft access return

    The current Maryland DNR public-water-access layer identifies the endpoint facilities and their ramp, soft-launch, fee, parking, or exclusion-zone controls. Coordinates are on/near-water access anchors and current operations must be verified.

    Source

  • Direct flow evidenceUSGS 01578310 Susquehanna River at Conowingo, direct same-river regulated-flow station

    This direct station provides current Susquehanna discharge/stage and release context, but it does not replace dam notices, visual conditions, marine forecast, or local endpoint checks.

    Source

  • Camping postureBroad Creek Public Landing is day use. Arrange separate lodging or campground; no creek-bank, beach, or public-landing camping is claimed.

    Susquehanna State Park camping requires a separate reservation; public docks and riverbanks are not assumed campsites.

    Source

  • Live gaugeUSGS 01578310, Susquehanna River at Conowingo, MD

    This is a direct same-river station. Readings are provisional and must be combined with trend and visual conditions.

    Source

  • Approved route imageryRights-cleared public-agency or public-domain corridor image

    Rights-cleared Maryland public-river image used as Lower Susquehanna context; it does not certify current release, dam, wind, access, or route hazards.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

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Photos

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or explore different rivers within 75 straight-line miles.

More in Maryland

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Maryland route guideBrowse every tracked Maryland route.Harford County / Lower Susquehanna MarylandJump to routes in this region.

More on Lower Susquehanna Water Trail

All 3
Frank J. Hutchins Park to Lapidum Boating FacilityHarford County / Lower Susquehanna MarylandModerate · Approximately 5.1 miles access to access; confirm the current Lower Susquehanna Water Trail map distance and channel choiceLapidum Boating Facility to Shuresville LandingHarford County / Lower Susquehanna MarylandModerate · Approximately 8.7 miles access to access; confirm the current Lower Susquehanna Water Trail map distance and dam-safe endpoint boundary

Nearby routes within 75 miles

Deer Creek Water TrailWalters Mill Canoe/Kayak Launch to Benjamin’s Bridge · about 7 straight-line mi awayModerate · Approximately 6 miles downstream from Walters Mill to Benjamin’s Bridge, per the current Maryland DNR access recordDeer Creek Water TrailRocks State Park Rapids access to Ma & Pa soft access · about 10 straight-line mi awayHard · Approximately 0.7 miles to the recommended Ma & Pa area downstream; mandatory portage around the documented 150-yard Class III rapid group unless independently confirmed runnableElk Neck Water TrailsNorth East Beach canoe/kayak launch and Northeast River return · about 19 straight-line mi awayModerate · Bounded North East Beach/Northeast River same-launch exploration; use the current park map and marine chart for route distance and turnaroundElk Neck Water TrailsRogues Harbor Boat Launch and Elk River return · about 21 straight-line mi awayModerate · Bounded Rogues Harbor/Elk River same-launch exploration; the park source establishes access but does not publish a stable paddling mileage

Quick answers

Lower Susquehanna Water Trail paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Broad Creek Public Landing and return route on the Lower Susquehanna Water Trail?

This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.

Where does the Broad Creek Public Landing and return route on the Lower Susquehanna Water Trail start and end?

This route starts at Broad Creek Public Landing soft access and ends at Broad Creek Public Landing soft access return, Approximately 1–4 miles bounded same-launch exploration; current map and shallow-water conditions control the turnaround on the water.

Is the Broad Creek Public Landing and return route on the Lower Susquehanna Water Trail suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.

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